Wisdom teeth differ from person to person in their number, their shape and their position in your mouth. The best way to examine your wisdom teeth is on a large X-ray of jaw called an OPG.

From this X-ray, we can determine where your wisdom teeth are and if they are causing problems.

Problems you may experience include infection of the wisdom teeth resulting in pain and swelling.

There are other problems with your wisdom teeth you may be unaware of, because they can occur without symptoms. Typically if a wisdom tooth doesn't have enough space to erupt completely it can become impacted up against the tooth in front. The tooth in front may then develop a cavity, which if left untreated may seriously compromise that tooth.

This is why it is always a good idea to know where your wisdom teeth are and how they are affecting your other teeth.

After an examination and viewing your OPG, we can develop a personal treatment plan for you. At L&R Dental we like to take a preventative approach and may recommend extracting the wisdom teeth before they cause serious problems.

We have facilities available to undergo wisdom teeth removal in our clinic. There is also the choice to be admitted to a local private hospital to have a general anaesthetic for wisdom teeth surgery.

If you have any further questions or would like to book a wisdom teeth consultation, please call us.

Crowns are used to strengthen and protect remaining tooth structure, as well as rebuild broken or decayed teeth. When a tooth is fractured, has a large restoration or severely damaged by decay a crown may be recommended. Crowns are also used to improve the cosmetic appearance of the tooth as it covers the entire tooth.

A dental implant can be thought of as an artificial tooth root made from commercially pure titanium, that is submerged into the jawbone. In some situations, a dental implant can be placed immediately after a tooth is extracted. There is a healing period, during which the implant integrates into the surrounding bone. During this time your dentist is usually able to fabricate a temporary tooth to fill the gap. Once the healing period has concluded, your dental implant is tested to ensure it has successfully integrated into your bone. Your dentist is then able to design and construct a ceramic tooth crown which can then be fixed to the implant. Dental implants are widely regarded as the ideal replacement for missing teeth. To ensure longevity of your dental implant, your dentist will demonstrate how to clean around the restoration and recommend you book regular dental examinations and professional hygiene appointments.

Root canal or endodontic treatment is a process whereby inflamed or dead pulp is removed from the inside of the tooth, enabling a tooth that was causing pain or infection to be retained. Dental pulp is the soft tissue in the canal that runs through the centre of a tooth. Once a tooth is fully formed it can function normally without its pulp and be kept indefinitely.

Gum disease or Periodontal disease describes a range of conditions that affect the supporting tissues for the teeth. The supporting tissues comprise both the surface tissues that can be seen in the mouth and also the deeper tissues of the bone and the ligament that connects the teeth to the bone.

Mouthguards should be worn during any contact sport where there is the chance of an impact to the face. Teeth are at risk of damage when playing sport and dental trauma can result in lifelong consequences for the injured teeth. Mouthguards can help to reduce the risk of tooth fractures and injuries caused by a collision.

A denture is a removable appliance that replaces some or all of your teeth. The denture can be easily removed and cleaned. Before any denture treatment is undertaken, it is recommended that a thorough dental check-up be undertaken. If you are having full dentures, it will involve an examination of the mouth and an assessment of the health of the gums.

At L&R Dental we are passionate about caring for children’s dental needs. We recommend starting dental visits from the age of 3, initially by watching a family member have their teeth cleaned, followed by the child having their teeth counted and gently polished. Starting this familiarisation process at an early age allows the child grow up with minimal anxiety towards dental care. It also gives our dentists the opportunity to identify any potential problems with your child's teeth at an early age. For the highly anxious or special needs children or adults, the L&R Dentists have visiting privileges to St Andrew's Toowoomba Hospital for treatment under general anaesthetic.

Before undergoing tooth whitening it is important to have a full exam with dental radiographs and professional cleaning to ensure there is no decay or gum disease present. Teeth must be healthy before whitening can be considered. The cause of the discolouration will also need to be established to ensure tooth whitening is right for you. Whitening can either be done in the dental chair or at home.